As many of you know, Episode 6 of the Bachelorette aired last night from Hong Kong, and we’re down to eight Bachelors.  Or is it really nine given the Bentley factor?  Well, I am happy to report that just a few minutes into the show, it was confirmed – Bentley’s gone; he’s out!  Alleluia.  But first he had to waste everyone’s time and money and fly halfway around the world just to tell Ashley that there should be a period at the end of the “…” (a.k.a., dot dot dot).  I’m just happy he didn’t try to continue to string Ashley along, but he didn’t, and now Ashley has a better sense of the true Bentley.  As she said, “I cannot believe I wasted so much time on Bentley both with him and thinking about him when he left.  He disrespected me to the core.” And then she uttered her final words on the matter, “Bentley, if you’re watching, *%&$* (expletive) you.  I’m done with you.”   Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Glad we got that out of the way; now on to the show…. We find out that there are going to be two one-on-one dates and one group date.

The First One-on-One Date – was with Lucas, 30, an Oil Field Equipment Distributor from Odessa, TX.  He and Ashley went to Kowloon (see photo), walked around, tasted the local fare and then sailed on a “pirate” ship in Hong Kong’s harbor.  There they bonded and connected, and he shared his thoughts and feelings about his divorce.  Whatever it was, it was enough for Ashley to give him a rose.  She feels “like a woman” when she is with him.  She feels so protected, and she says that he’s “such a man.”  She deems their first date (and it’s their first kiss too) as one of the “most romantic nights in her life.”  Wow – it didn’t look that great to me?!

The Group Dragon Boat Racing Date – was with Constantine, Ben, Blake, Ryan, Mickey and Ames.  Not only are they going Dragon Boat Racing, but they have to recruit six additional rowers for each boat.  Now that was fun to watch…especially Constantine and Ben who ended up giving up on the recruitment of others and donned red robes, which ultimately was enough to bring them a following and therefore six rowers.  Anyway, the bottom line of this date was that Ryan got the date rose, which made everyone else mad and left them scratching their heads.  As I mentioned in my first recap, the men all feel that they are quite different from Ryan, and they wonder that if Ashley wants him - as evidenced by giving him the group date rose – how could she want them too?  As Ben says, “Maybe she hasn’t experienced the Ryan we know and can’t stand.”

The Second One-on-One Date – was with J.P., 34, a Construction Manager from New York, NY.  And let’s just suffice it to say that things always seem to get hot and heavy with them (see photo of Ashley and J.P.).  Of all the connections, this seems to be the most intense and genuine (though I think Ben might be the runner up or maybe it’s just that I became partial to him when he admitted that he loved Ashley on the group date??).  In fact, Ashley confides to J.P. about Bentley’s visit to Hong Kong a few days earlier.  She hasn’t shared this information with anyone else, which is quite significant in my opinion.  He understands where she is coming from, and she feels completely relieved that she has gotten her feelings about and actions with Bentley off her chest.  They continue with their date getting on the “Peak Tram” and saying that “things are perfect.  We’re on the right track (get it??).”  Basically, they are digging each other, and of course, Ashley gives him a rose.

The Rose Ceremony

After telling J.P. about the Bentley saga and feeling so good that she has, Ashley decides to share this same information with the other seven bachelors as well.  Ooops….the rest of the gang doesn’t react as favorably as J.P. did the night before.  Mickey, Lucas, Blake and Constantine seem the most annoyed; they say that they feel like they have been lied to.  They focus on their feelings of betrayal and don’t seem to understand her perspective.  They complain that they have sacrificed so much for her and now they find out she has been harboring secret feelings for Bentley.  I have three things to say in response…..

1. Life is not too bad for them right now considering they have been traveling – virtually for free – throughout Asia for the past several weeks.
2. All is fair in love and war.
3. You should appreciate Ashley for her honesty and not chastise her for it; honesty is a good way to build a foundation for a relationship.

Ryan and Ames seem to take the news in stride for the most part.  And of course, J.P. has already been clued in.  The bottom line is that Mickey ends up freaking out and leaves, saying “if your gut is that that’s what you’re looking for (i.e., Bentley), then please send me home…. I’m just not interested.”  And Blake, who had never gotten the chance to have a one-on-one date with Ashley, gets booted.  I hate to say it, but the writing was on the wall for him.

So let’s tune in two weeks (next Monday is the July 4th holiday) to see what happens when the group travels to Taiwan.  And I just want to add that they previewed the rest of the episodes from the series last night, and it did not look pretty – a lot of tears and misery.  Of course, I cannot wait to see what happens, which brings me to my favorite question…who do you think will be the last Bachelor standing?  I am totally perplexed after seeing last night’s montage, but I can’t wait to hear your thoughts…..

Episode #5 of The Bachelorette aired last night, and I’m going to keep this recap short and sweet because it’s late and today was the last day of school for the kids and the movie, Knight and Day, has just begun on HBO and on and on.  But first, I need to vent a bit….  They really lead us to believe that Bentley, 28, a Businessman from Salt Lake City, UT, was going to be appear in Chiang Mai this week, but we found out last night that this wasn’t the case.  Tsk, tsk, ABC.  We were completely mislead, and this is not right.  Apparently it’s next week that he returns….

But back to the task at hand – here are the down-and-dirty highlights of Episode #5:

• Ashley has a one-on-one date with Ben F., 28, a Winemaker from Sonoma, CA.  The bottom lines is that she digs him.  She kisses him, gives him a rose and the passion is palpable (though not necessarily in that order).

• Ashley has a group date with eight of the bachelors – Constantine, Ames, Nick, Blake, Lucas, Ryan, J.P. and Mickey.  The boys Thai box one another, a.k.a. Muay Thai Fighting, which is described as a cross between Martial Arts and Kickboxing.  According to the bachelors, “This is testosterone at its finest.”  The bottom line is that Ames, 31, a Portfolio Manager from New York, NY, ends up in the hospital with a mild concussion, which freaks out the whole group, and Blake, 27, a Dentist from Greenville, SC, gets the rose and a kiss too (not so passionate it seems to me).

• Ashley has a two-on-one date with William, 30, a Cellular Phone Salesman from Galloway, OH, and Ben C., 28, a Lawyer from New Orleans, LA, and both get the boot.

• At the rose ceremony, Ashley asks everyone to be honest about their feelings for her and their emotions in general.  And yet, she feels she is being hypocritical because she is not being honest with anyone…her feelings for Bentley (pictured right) still linger.  She tries to repress them, but her heart won’t let her.  She tells this to host Chris Harrison, and she says that it would be better if she and Bentley just had a chance to talk.  She needs to resolve her feelings for Bentley.  If she knew that he didn’t have the same kind of feelings for her, she would move on.  Well, we certainly know.  Duhhh.  How can we stop this?   Did you see the June 20, 2011 People Magazine lead article on Bentley’s humiliation of Ashley…and we are just thinking, ‘We told you so, Ashley.  We knew and wanted to warn you.  The signals were there.  But you wouldn’t listen.’

• Anyway, I digress…..  Ashley rejects Nick, 26, a Personal Trainer from Tampa, FL.  Then she tells the group that they will be traveling to Hong Kong.  And guess who’s coming back???  You got it – Bentley.  Gag, Yuck.

So like I said last week, let’s tune in next Monday at 8 p.m. to see how the Bentley saga continues.  And this time I mean it (I think)…..  Until then, I have to ask again  - who do you think will be the last Bachelor standing?  I can’t wait to hear….

Happy Father’s Day to all of the Dads, Stepdads, Grandads and Dads-to-be.  I hope you have an incredible day and that you are showered with love by all the people who surround you – and even those who are farther away and can’t be near you on this day.  Here’s a Father’s Day Poem (author unknown) in honor of these great Dads in our lives…..

Happy Father’s Day

A Dad is a person
who is loving and kind,
And often he knows
what you have on your mind.
He’s someone who listens,
suggests, and defends.
A dad can be one
of your very best friends!
He’s proud of your triumphs,
but when things go wrong,
A dad can be patient
and helpful and strong
In all that you do,
a dad’s love plays a part.
There’s always a place for him
deep in your heart.
And each year that passes,
you’re even more glad,
More grateful and proud
just to call him your dad!
Thank you, Dad…
for listening and caring,
for giving and sharing,
but, especially, for just being you!
Happy Father’s Day

And I wanted to share a few of my thoughts about my Dad, who is so special to me and whom I am wishing a Happy, Happy Father’s Day today…..

Dear Dad,

I feel so lucky to have been born with you as my Dad and to have shared my forty-something years with you.  Since I was a little girl, you were my role model.  I wanted to be just like you….you were (and still are) fun, full of energy, outgoing, friendly, easy going, funny/silly, positive, generous (I could go on and on) – everyone loved you and wanted to be around you!  You were my idol – and still are!

We’ve had so many years of happy, special memories, and I know we will have so many more!  I love you so much, and when I say that you are the best Dad ever – it is a total understatement.  As I have said many times before, I feel so lucky, honored and blessed to have you as a Dad and to have had all of your positive, happy, awesome energy shaping my life!  By being such an incredible Dad, you have given me the best gift anyone ever could!!!  Happy Father’s Day, Dad…..

xoxoxo

Lisa (Pictured with my sister, left, and Dad, center)

Last month, I featured a blog on “The Pre-Moving Day Checklist for Buyers,”and now it’s time to look at things from the seller’s viewpoint.  Again, I’m hoping this list can help you focus on the task at hand given how crazy life can become leading up to moving out of and selling your home*.  You’ll see some similarities on this list to the buyer’s pre-moving day checklist, but it also has some distinct differences:

• Contact the utility companies – make sure that the gas/oil, electricity, cable and any other utility services know that you are selling your home and the day you will be closing on the property.  They will likely schedule a time to do any appropriate final readings (i.e., your oil tank, propane tank and/or water meter). This helps ensure that you won’t receive utility and other bills on a home you no longer own.
• Confirm receipt of your smoke/carbon monoxide (CO) inspection certificate and/or your Title V inspection certificate (if appropriate) – your listing agent will likely have coordinated this inspection with the town’s fire department for the smoke and carbon monoxide devices.  There is a nominal fee payable to the town, and the final certificate is part of the closing paperwork.  Similarly, if you live in a town with private sewerage, you need to have a Title V inspection done to make sure your septic system is functioning and compliant with the state’s regulations.  The Title V inspection costs a few hundred dollars (depending), and it is also part of the closing paperwork.
• Reserve a safe place for important documents and items – this is important for sellers too during a move when things have a tendency to get rather chaotic.  Put your passports, birth certificates, medications, etc., in a designated place so they don’t get lost in the move.  In fact, I recommend putting them in your purse or briefcase so they are “on your person,” as they say, rather than on a moving truck.
• Confirm your moving logistics with the moving company – by this time, you will have hired a mover so check in with the company to confirm the arrival time on moving day and any other logistics.
• Pack up any last minute items – make sure not to forget the harder items to move or package, including plants and/or extremely fragile pieces that you want to transport yourself.
• Finish up any remaining home inspection items – after the buyer’s home inspection, there may be items that the buyer has asked you to address or repair.  Before you close the door for the last time and before the buyer’s final walk through (see the next bullet point), take another spin around the house and make sure all of the inspection items have been properly fixed and completed.
• Make sure the house is “Broom Clean” for the buyer’s walk through - most buyers schedule a walk through of their new home the day before or morning of the closing. During the walk through, the buyer will check to make sure everything has been removed from the property (including all of the knick knacks in the cabinets and drawers) and that all inspection items have been repaired or resolved.
• Review the HUD-1 Settlement Statement with your real estate attorney – the HUD-1 Settlement Statement is usually available to review with your attorney prior to the closing. In fact, most sellers don’t usually attend the closing and will instead give power of attorney to their attorneys.  So it’s important to make sure you’ve reviewed, understand and approved the settlement statement in advance of the big day.
• Remember the tax stamps – where we live in Massachusetts, the tax stamp rate is $4.56/$1,000.  So if you’ve sold your home for $1,000,000, you’ll owe $4,560 in tax stamps at the closing.
• Leave any appropriate keys, garage door openers or other relevant devices for the buyer – this is crucial because otherwise you will be getting a phone call from the buyer asking how he can get access to his new home.
• Compile a list of vendors, operating manuals, warranties, etc. to leave for the buyer – this is a very nice and helpful thing to do for the buyer, and most sellers are happy to compile this information to pass along to the new homeowner.
• Complete a change of address form at your post office – it’s important to make sure that you are the one who gets your mail and not the buyer who just bought your home.
• Leave a personal note and/or gift for the new homeowners – I have seen this done several times, and it’s such a warm and gracious way to end the home selling process.  It also coveys good karma all around.
• Have some bubbly – you have successfully sold your home, and it’s time to move forward with your life whether that be in a new home you’ve just bought or a condominium you’ve just rented – Bubbly Time…. Congratulations!

I think I’ve touched on almost everything….  When you sold your home, were there other things you did just prior to moving day that you would add to the checklist? I can’t wait to hear….

* This list does not include the packing of items and furniture and the determination of what is being given to goodwill or other family members, thrown away, potentially sold at a yard sale or to a consignment shop and/or moved to your new destination as these efforts are part of the overall and ongoing moving out process.